Things to Do in Wakefield

Anglican cathedral dating from the 12th century with a striking 247-foot spire and modern stained glass by Tony Kerstholt. The interior has a peaceful atmosphere and interesting carved choir stalls.

🕐 Mon–Sat 9am–5pm, Sun 8am–4pm

💡 Climb the tower on guided tours (check their website for times – usually Saturdays in summer) for views across the city. The tower climb costs £5.

Local history museum inside the Town Hall covering Wakefield's industrial past, the Rhubarb Triangle, and a large collection of toys and games. Small but well-curated.

🕐 Mon–Sat 10am–4pm, Sun closed

💡 The vintage costume gallery changes twice a year – call ahead to see if it's open when you visit, as it's occasionally closed for installation.

Modern gallery showcasing Barbara Hepworth's sculptures and rotating contemporary exhibitions. The building itself sits on the River Calder with large windows overlooking the water.

🕐 Wed–Sun 10am–4pm, Mon–Tue closed

💡 The ground-floor cafe has decent coffee and views of the river, but avoid peak lunchtime if you want a quiet seat.

One of only four surviving medieval chantry chapels on a bridge in England. Perched over the River Calder, it dates from the 14th century and has a reconstructed interior.

🕐 See council website; typically open 1–2 weekends per year

💡 Check the Wakefield Council website for opening times – it's only open a few days a year for events, but the outside is worth a 10-minute stop. Best light for photos is late afternoon.

Open-air gallery set in 500 acres of parkland with large-scale works by Henry Moore, Damien Hirst, and others. Indoor galleries also show rotating exhibitions.

🕐 Daily 10am–5pm (gates close at 6pm)

💡 Parking costs £8 per car – if you're on a tight budget, walk from the nearest bus stop (the 96 or 96A from Wakefield city centre) to skip the fee. Bring sturdy shoes for the hills.